PS 

3529 

N5 

C45 

1914a 

MAIN 


UC-NRLF 


INI    I 

C    3    D3fl    I  Ifl 


f     •  ;  > :  ,•>  -  .4-  4 


'Children  Of  The  Sea1 
A  Play  In  One  Act 

by 
Eugene  G.O'Seill. 


Characters. 

"Cooky"  ) 

Davis  ) 

"Sootty" ) 

Driscoll  ) 

Oleson  ) 

"Yank"  ) 

Smitty  ) 

Ivan ) 

A  llorxegiar 

The  Captain  of  the  bt earner. 

The   First   Officer. 


Seamen  of  a  British 
Steamer. 


The  action  takes  place   in  the   forecastle   of  ABritish  tramp  steamer 
on  a   foggy  night ,rcid*ay  in  the  voyage  from  New  York  to   Cardiff. 


Scene :The   seamen's   forecastle  on  a  British  tramp  steamer, an   irregular- 
shared   corrp«Ttirent   the  sides   of  which  almost  meet   at   the   far  end  to    form  a 
triangle. sleeping  bunks   about  six  feet   long, ranged  two    deep  with  a  pp^ce  of 
two  and  a  half  or  three   feet   separating  the  upper  from  the  lower, ore  >-n"!t 
against  the   sid.ee. On  the  ri£ht  above  the  bunks  three  or  four  port  holes  can 
be   seen.    In  front  of  the  bunks   rough  wooden  benches. Over  the  bunks   tn  the 
left  a  lighted  lamp  in  a  bracket.    In  tne  left   foreground  a  doorway.    On   the 
llggr  gfar   it  a  pail  with  a  tin  flipper. Oilekins   are  hanging  fron  hooks  near 
the  doorway.    The   far  side  of  the  forecastle   is   r.o  narrow  it   contains  only 
one  series  of  bunks.    In  tnder  the  lower  bunks  a  glimpse  can  be  nad  of  sea- 
chests,  suit  cases, sea  boots, etc.    jammed  in  indiscriminately.   The  whole    rere- 
castle   is  not  more  than  twenty  feet  'Tide, narrowing  tc   about   six, twenty-five 
feet   deep .and  eight   feet  hija. 

The  aea  outside  must   le  unusually  calm, for  the  oilskins  hung  against  tiie 
side   sway  but   little, and  the  swash  of  tne  waves  around  the  >cw  is  so   indis 
tinct  that   the  footsteps  of  the  lookout  pacing  up  and  down  on  the   forecastle- 
nead  above  can  be  plainly  heard. At   regular  irterv&ls  of  a  minute   or  EO   tvie 
blast  of  tne  steamers  yfciatle  drowns  all  other  sounds. 

Five  men  are  Hitting  flfl  lliu  I'UMhes  talking. They  are   dressed  in  dirty 
patcned  saits  of  dungaree  •*•?.$   flannel  shirts, and  all  ere  in  their  stocking 
feet.Four  of  the  men  are  pulling  on  pipes  and  the  air   in  the  forecastle   is 
hazy   -vith   rancid  tobacco   smoke. Sitting  on  +he  top  bunk  in  the  left   fore 
ground  a  blond-heired  ITorregian  with  vacant  blue   eyes   is  softly  playing  ocme 
folk  son^:  on  a  battered  accordion. Ee   stops  frora  tiiue  .ta.tlr.e  to   listen  to 
tne   conversation. In  the   lo^er  bunk  at   the   far   end   a  dark-haired, middle-aged 
man  ia  laming  apparently  asleep. One  uf  hie  arms  is  stretched  1  La-ply  over 
the  side  of  his  bunk. His  face  is  very  pale  tind  drops   of  clammy  perspiration 
glisten  on  his   fcrenead. 

It  is  nearing  the  end  of  the   dog-watch., about  quarter  to   ei^iit   in  the 
evening. 


Cooky  -(A  weazened  .old   runt   of  a  man.ile   is  telling  £  story. The  others 
are  listening  with  amused, incredulous   faces)    "Maikin'love  to  rie,ehe  was  I    It's 
Gawd's   truth!   A  bloonir.1    nigger!   rreased  all   over  with  cccoanut  oil, she  was. 
'iewd  blimey,!   couldn't   stan>1    Ter.    ^he   stink  cf   fer  would  fair  drive  ycu  loorey 
"Bloody   old  cow1, 1   saye;and  with  that   I   fetched    '  er  a  whack  on  the   ear  that 
knocked   '  er  silly  and  --"(He  is   interrupted  by  a  roar  of  laughter  f^crc  the 
others) 

Davis  -(    A  middle-a^ed  man  with  brown  ,itir  and  mustache)    "You're  a  liar. 
Cocky." 

Scotty  -(4  dark  young  fellow)  "$o->ol   Ye  jrere  neverr   in  Eeur  Guinea  in 
your  life,I'm  tninkin1" 

Oleson  -(A  Swede    rith   an  enormous  blond  mustache  -  with  ponderous   sar- 
cr.em)"Yu3t   tink  of  it!   You  way  p"n«?  vruss   a  cannibal, Cooky^" 

Drisccll  -(A  red^heuded  giant  with   the   battered  features   of  a  prize 
fighter)  "How  cud   ye   doubt  it,01escn?   A  quane  art  av  the   naygurs   she  musta  been, 
surely. "ho   else   .vud  think  herself  aqual   to   fall  in1    in  love  wid  a  besuthiful, 
iivil-may-oare  rake  av  a  man  like  Cocky?" 

851 


Cooky  -(protests  indignantly)  "Gawd  strike  me  dead  if  it  ain't  true, 
every  bloomin1   word  of  it-'Appened  ten  year  ago   oome  Christmas.  " 

Sootty  -"T'Was  a  Christmas  dinner  she  •§•  had  her  eyes  on." 
Davis  -"tie'd  a  tin  a  tough  old  bird." 

Drisooll  -"T'is  lucky  for  both,  ye  escaped;  for  the  quane  ay  the  Cannibal 
Isles  wnd'a  died  av  the  belly-ache  the  day  afther  Christ  mas,  dlvil  a  doubt  ay 
ut."(The  laughter  at  this  witticism  is  long  and  loud.) 

Cooky  -f  sullenly)  "Blarsted  fat  '  eads!  "(The  sick  man  in  the  lower  bunk 
on  the  far  side  groans  and  moves  restlessly.  There  is  a  hushed  silence.  All 
turn  and  stare  at  him) 

Drisooll  -"Ss8hhhl"(in  a  hoarse  whisper)  "We'd  beet  not  be  talkin'   so 
loud  and  him  tryin'    to  have  a  bit  av  sleep."  (He  tiptoes   softly  to   the  side 
of  the  bunk)  "Yank!   You'd  be  wantin'   a  dhrink  of  wather,  maybe?  "(Yank  does 
not  reply.  Driscoll  bends  over  him)  "It's  asleep  he  is,  sure  enougfr.His  brecth 
is   ohokin'   in  his  throat  like  wather  gurglin'   in  a  pipe.  "(He  comes  back 
quietly  and  sits   down.  All  are  silent  .avoiding  each  other  eyes) 

Cooky  -"Pore  devil!  It's  over  the  side  for    'im.Cawd   'elp    'im." 

Drisooll  -"Stop  your  croakin'  ;he's  not   dead  yet  and,  praise  God.  he'll  fc 
have  rasny  a  long  day  yet  before  him." 

Sootty  -(  shaking  his  head  doubtfully)  "He's  bad.roon.he's  verry  bad." 

Davis  -"He's  luoky  he's  alive.  Many  a  man's  light    'ud   'a  gone   out  after 
a  fall  like  that." 

Oleson  -"You  saw  him  fall?" 

Davis   -"Right  next  to  him.  He  and  me  was   go  in'    down  in  lie  .2  hold  to  do 
sone  chippin'.He  puts  his  leg  over  careless-like  and  misses   the  ladder  and 
plumps  straight   down  to  the  bottom.  I  was  afraid  to  look  over  for  a  minute 
and  then  I  heard  him  groan  and  scuttled  down  after  him.  He  was  hurt   inside 
for  the  blood  was  drippin1    from  the  side  of  his  mouth.  He  never  let  a  word 
out  of  him." 

Cooky  -"An1   you  blokes  remember  when  we   fauled   fim  in*  ere  -   0   'ell.'e 
says,0   'ell  -  like   that,  and  no  thin  'else." 

Oleaon  -"Did  the  flap  t%  in  kr.ow   vhere  he  is  hurt?" 

Cooky  -"?hat  silly  ol1    josser.'   Wot  the   'ell  ronld    'e  know?" 

Sootty  -"He  fiddles   in  Ma  mouth  wi'   a  bit  of  sl 


Driscoll  -(angrily)  "The  divll's  own  life  *t   ie.to  be  out  on  the   lonely 
sea  and  have  notiiin'   betune  you  and   a  ^rave  in  *lie  ooean  tot  e  spindle-shanked 
<jrey-*hiskerei  auld  fool  the  lilse  a*  Mm.  T'  was   enough  to  iLake  a  saint  swear 
to  aee  him  vri1&  hi  3   --oil  watcu  in  >.is  nand,  tryin  T   to  look  as  wise  as  an  owl 
on  a  tree,  and  all  the  time  he  not  Iriiowin'   Thet^er  t'waa   chclery  or  the  barbers 
itch  was  tae  matther  wit  Yank." 


ocotty  -(sardonically)    "He  gave  h.izr  a  dose  of  salts, na  dookt?" 

Drisooll  -"Divil  a  thing  he  gave  iiiB  ?t   all|   'cut  looket  in  the  book  lie 
iiad  wid  him, and  shook  his  head, and  Talked  out  widout  aayin1   a  rvord.the  eeoond 
mate  afther  him  no  wiser  than  he, God's   curse  on  the  two  av  thim." 

Ccoky  -fafter  a  pause) "Blimey .it's  a  queer  world. There's  Yank  talkin1 
anA'langhin1   an1   tellin1    stories  this  time  last  night, -and  now   'ere   'e  is 
with   'is  insides  all  busted  up. Pore  beggar, 'e  was  a  good  shipmate  -  lend  me 
four  bob  in  Uoo  York.'e  did." 

Drisooll  -(warmly) "A  good  shipmate  he  was  and  is  -  none  bettfcer.Ye  said 
no  more  than  the  truth.Cooky.Five  years  and  u*ore  ut   ie   since  first   I  shipped 
^id  him.and  we've  stuck  together  iver  since, through  good  luck  and  bad. Fights 
we've  had, God  help  us, but  t'wae  only  when  we'd  a  bit  of  Shrink  taken, and  we 
always  ahor":  hands  the  next  mornin1  .fwiiativer  was  his^as  mine,   ar-o   i  ;;-vT3 
the  time  I'd'a  been  on  the  beach, or  worse, but   for  him. And  now  -"(His  voice 
trembles  as  he  fights  to  control  his  emotion) "Divil  take  me  if  I'm  not  etartin 
to  blubber  like  an  auld  ^oman.and  he  not  dead  at  all  but  goin1    to  live  many 
a  long  year  yet, maybe." 

Davis  -"He  seems  better  now. The  sleep '11  do  him  good." 
Oleson  -"If  he  wade  eat  something-" 

Drisooll  -"Wud  ye  have  him  be   eatin1    in  hie  oondiehun?Sure  it's  hard 
enough  for  the  rest  av  us  wid  nothin1   wrong  wid  our  inaides  to  be  stocaohin* 
the  skoff  on  this  rusty  lime- Juicer." 

Sootty  -(indignantly) "It's  a  starvation  ahip." 

Davis  -"rienty  o1   work  and  no   food  jit's   easy  to   see  why  the  owners  are 
rich." 

Oleson  -"Hash, hash; stew, stew; marmalade  -  py  damnJ"(He  spite  disgustedly) 
Cocky  -"Bloody  svrillJ   ?it  only  for  swine  is  wot   I  say." 

Driaooll  -"And  the  dishwather  they  disguise  ae  teal  And  that  ball  m±  av 
putty  they  call  bread  -  my  belly  feels  like  I'd  B^allMyed  a  dozen  rivets  at 
the  thought  av  utJ  And  sea-biscuit  that    'ud  break  the  teeth  av  a  lion  if  he 
had  tlie  misfortune  to  take  a  bite  at   onel" (Unconsciously  they  have  all  raised 
their  voicee.forgettiiie;  the  siok  mex  in  the±*  sailors  delight  at   finding 
something  to  grumble  about.) 

(The  Norwegian  sitting  on  the  upper  bunk  OTI  the  left  stpos  playing  his 
accordion  and  says  slowly) "And  ro-ten  po-tay-toes."(Ee  starts   in  playing 
again. The  pick  man  groans.) 

Drisooll  -(holding  up  his  hand) "Shut  your  mouths  all  av  you.   T'is  a  hell 
av  a  tiling  for  us  to  te  oomplainin'    about  our  guts  and  &  nan  sick  an*  maybe 
dyin1    listenin'    tc  us. "(Shaking  his  fist  at  the  Norwegian) "God  stiffen  you, 
ye  square-head  soutJ   Put   down  that  organ  av     yours  or  I'll  break  your  ugly 
face   for  you. Is  that  banshee  eokreeohin1    fit  mueio   for  a  eick  man? "(The 
Norwegian  puts  his  accordion  on  the  bunk  and  lays  back  and  closes  his  eyes* 


Driaooll  goes  over  and  stands  beside  Yank. The  steamer's  whistle  sounds   par 
ticularly  loud   in  the  silence.) 

Davis   -"Damn  this   fog! "(Reaches  under  a  bunk  and  yanks  out  a  pair  of 
eea-boots  which  he  ptills   on)  "My  lookout  next  .too. Lhist  be  nearly  eigut  bells, 
boys."(7i/ith   the  exception  of  Oleson  all  put  on  souwestere.oilskins, sea-boots, 
etc.    in  preparation  for  the  watch  on  deck.Oleaon  crawle  into  a  lower  bunk 
on  the  right) 


itl 


Sootty  -"My  wheel." 

Cocky  -"Me  end  Drisooll '11  be  sniftin'   boxes   daan  in  number  four.blarst 


Oleson  -f-^ith  a  disgusted  grunt) "I  got  take  the  wheel  two  to   four  -yust 
my  luok."(He  turns  his  baok  to  the  light  and  is  soon  asleep) 

Sootty  -If  this  weather  keeps  up, I'm  tellin'    ye, we'll  not  be  gettin1 
into  Carrdiff  for  a  week  or  more." 

Davis  -(in  a  whisper) "Let 's  hope  poor  Yank'll  last   long   enough  sc's  he 
can  be  burried  on  dry  land  and  not  be  thrown  overboard  like  a  saok  full   of 
rotten  spuds • " 

Drisooll  -"Don't  be  talkir'   that  wa^.I  say.T'ie  betther  he'e  gettin1 
every  minute  .lie '11  live  ?et   to   see  your  grave  and  mine. "(A  pause. The  Horweg- 
ian  has   fallen  apiaep  and  is  snoring) "Listen  to   that   pig, will  ye!   Hie  gruntin' 
puts  me  in  mind  ev  sornethin1    and  t 'is  not  a  pleasant   thought.? 'was   Just   suoh 
a  night  as  tUis  the  auld  "Dover"  wint   down. Just   about  this  time   it  was, too, 
end  re  all  aittin'    round  in  the  fo 'castle, Yank  teside  me, and  tne  whistle 
bloTvir'   and  shriekin'  ,and  a   fog  you  couldn't   see  your  hand  before  you  in. 
There  was   juat   suoh  anotuer  lezy  scut   anorin'    in  one  ttv  the   bunks, and   I  WES 
tellin1    borne  outrageous  lie, and  Yank  laughin'   at   me;   but  the  rest  av  tnim 
thinkin'    it's  bible  truth. All  av  a  suddint  we  heard  a  greut   slither ir'    crash 

and  the   ship  heeled  over  till  we  was  all  in  a  heap     on  wan  side. What   came 
afther  I   diertmimber  exactly, except  t'was  a  hard  shift   to   get   the   boats  over 
before  the  auld  tea-kettle  sank. Yank  was   in  the  same  boat  wid  me, am?   six 
morthal   days  vre  drifted  widout  a  drop  ay  wather  or  a  bit  to  chew  on. T1  was 
Yank  that  held  me  down  whin  I   tried  to   Jump  over   the  side,roarin'mad  wit' 
the   thirst.   Picked  up  vre  were  on  the*  same  day.'vid  only  four  av  UP   alive  and 
only  Yanl:  i/.  iiiii   senses." 

Cociy  -"Bliney.but  you're  *  cneerful  blighter, Driaooll!    -   tellin'   us 
ubant   saipTreoke    in  thie    'ere  blarsted  fog. "(Yank  grojins  and  stirs  uneasily, 
opening  his   eyea. Drisccll  hurries   to   ais  side.) 

Drisooll  -"Are  ye  feelin'   any  hettaer.Yank?" 
'iank  -(shaking  hi«  head  -   in  a  ^eak  voice)  TUo" 

Drisooll  -"Sure, you  must  be. You  look  ae  sthrong  as  en  ox. "(appealing 
to   the  others) '"Am  I  tellin1   nim  a  lie?" 

Davis  -"Tiie  sleep's    'one  you  good." 

Cooky  -"You'll  be    'avin  your  pint  of  >eer   in  Cardiff  this   day  week." 


Sootty  -"And  fisn  and  chips.mon." 

Yank  -(peevisnly)  MTVhat 're  yuh  all    liein'    far?   D'yuh  think  I'm  scared  to- 
(He  hesitates  as   if  frightened  by  the  word  he   is  about  to  say.) 

Driscoll  -"Don't  be  thinkin'    tuch  things. "( The   ship's  bell   is  neard 
heavily   tolling   eight  times. From  the  forecastle  head  the  voice   of  lae  lock- 
out   rises  in  a  long  wail  -"Aaalls  welll."mhe  men   look  uncertainly   at   Yank 
c.3   if  undecided   .vietaer    to    say  ^ro^'tye   to   Lim  or   net.", 

Yank  -(in  an  a^ony  of  fear) "Don't   leave  &e,Drisc»    I'm  dyin',1  tell  yuh. 
I  won't   stay  here  alcne  with   everyone  snorin' .1 '11  go  out   on   fleck."  (He  makes 
a  feeble   attempt   to   rise  but   sinks  back  with  a  sharp  groan.riis   breath  cotes 
in   vheezy  gasps)  "Don't  leave  me.Driso  J  "(His   fk.ee  grows  white  and  iiis  head 
falls  back  with  a  jerk) 

Driecoll  -"Don't  be  worryin'  .Yank, I  '11  not  move  a  step  out  av  l:ere|and 
let   that   divil  av  a  bosun  curse  his  black  ^iead  off. You  speak  a  word  to   the 
bosun, Cocky. Tell  him  Yank  is  bad   tuk  and  I'll  be  atavin'   with  oiir.  a  niile 
yit." 

Cocky  -"Hight-o"(CockytDavisfcnd  occtty  go  out   quietly) 

Cocky  -(from  the  alleyway V Gawd  Llimey.the   fog's   thick  HS    soup." 

Driscoll  -"Are  ye  satisfied  nc-.7,Yank?  :iefs   fainted, God  help  him:"(:i6 
^etz   a  tin  dipper  of  water   fron:  the  bucket  and   throws   it   in  Yank's   face. Yank 
shudders  and  opens  his   eyes.) 

Yank  -(slowly)"!   thought   I  was  going  -then.Wha'did  yuh  wanta  wake  cce  r.p 
fur?" 

Drisooll  -(with   forced  gaiety) "Is  it  wishful   for  heavec   ye  are?" 
Yank  -(gloomily) "Hell, I  guess." 

Drisooll  -(involuntarily  crosses  himself ) "For   the   love  av  the  saints, don1 
be  talkie1    like   that!  You'd  give  a  man  the  creeps. It's  ohippin'    rust   on  the 
decks  you'll  be  in  a   day  or  two  rid  the  beet  av  us. "(Yank  does  not   answer 
but   closes  his   eyes  again  wearily. The  eeaman  who  has  been  on  lookout   *  .      ._, 
a  young  Englishmen  with  a  light  mustach^'aaj  takes  off  hio   dripping  oilskins 
and  hangs  them  near  the   door. While  he  is   doing  this  the  man  whoee  wheel  has 
been  relieved  comes!  in. He  is  a  dark, burly  fellow  with  a  large  stupid   face. 
He  hangs  his   things   beside  the  others. Both  sit  on  the  benches  and  pull   off 
their  sea-boots. The  Englishman  steps  softly  over  to  Drisooll. The  other  crawls 
into  a  lower  bunk. ) 

The  Englishman  -"How's  Yank?" 

Drisooll  -"Betther;   ask  him  yourself  ;he's   «aweke." 

Yank  -"I'm  all  right .Smitty. n 

Smitty  -"Glad  to  hear  it, Yank. "(He  lights  his   pipe   and  climbs  to  an  upper 
bunk) 


$The  dark, stupid- faced  seaman  in  the  lower  bunk     twists  hia  head   in 
the  direction  of  the  sick  man)    "You  feel  gude,Jank?" 

Yank  -(wearily) "Yes, Ivan." 

Ivan  -"Dots  gude."(He  rolls  over  on  his   side  and  falls  asleep  immediately 
The  Englishman  soon  knocks   out  his  pipe  and  turns  hie   face  away  from  the  light 

Yank  -(after  a  pause  broken  only  by  snores  -  with  a  bitter  laugh) "Good' 
bye  to  all  of  you I" 

Driscoll  -(renewing  his  attempt  at   cheerfulness) "Is  ut  a  nice  thing, I 
ask  you, to  be  desirin'    to   leave  an  auld  shipmate  the  way  you  are?Sure,for  my 
sake, you  ought  to  give  up  thinkin'    such  things. 1  Pwhat  wud  I  be  wldout  you 
but  an  auld  roosther  wid  his  head  chopped  off." 

Yank  -(dully) "Yuh  can't   cheer  me  up.Driso.I  feel  too  rotten. I  ain't  got 
a  laugh  in  me." 

Drisooll  -"Is  ut  painin'    you  again?" 

Yank  -"It  hurts  like  hell  -  here. "(He  points  to  the  lower  part  of  his 
chest  on  the  left  side) "I   guess  my  old  pump  is  busted." 

Drisooll  -"Ye've  caught  cold  where  you  was  hur ted, maybe. A  bit  of  rheuma 
tics  or  somethin1 .T1 is  the  divil's  own  pain  I  know. None  better ;for  ye   re 
member  I  was  laid  up  for  a  week  wid  ut  in  Yokahama  time  we  was   there  wid  the 
"Llalay  Princess'.'a  starvation  ship  if  there  tTer  was  wntwan." 

Yank  -"Worst  ship  we  wae   ever  on  together." 

Driscoll  -"I've  been  on  a  worse  wan  once;   but   I  must  have  told   you  av 
ut,and  I'll  not  be  plaguin'    a  sick  mar  wid  auld  stories  he's  heard  before." 

Yank  -"Yuh  needn't  :vorry;    I'll  stop  yuh  if  it's  an  old  one.Oo  ahead." 

Drisooll  -"Since  you're  wishin'   It;-  T'was  a  Yankee  bark  out  av  Bridge- 
water, Uovy  Scotia, wid  lumber  for  the  River  Plate. The  captain  and  the  mate 
were   "Blue-noses", and  you  know  wad  that  means, for, if  I  misthake  not, we've 
had  dealins   togither  wid  the  same  breed  av  swine. Worrk  it  was   day  and  night, 
both  watches  on  deck  for  no  raison  at   all, and  the   captain  and  mate   oursin' 
iviry  mother's  son  av  us   for  a  crew  av  lazy  scuts. Blac^c  re^e  was  in  the 
heart  av  iviry  wan  in  the   f o ' castle  and  if  we'd  had  the  chance  -  but   divil 
a  wan  did  they  give  us   for  whiniver  a  man  went  aloft  ?rid  a  marlin  spike  they 
was   cute   enough  to  keep  sheltered  at   the  break  av  the  poop.The   food  was  the 
worst  av  all. T'was  not   fit  for  dogs, no, nor  worse  than  dogs. Ye  know  the  sayin1: 
'Hot   fit   for  a  sailor  let  alone  a  dog'^'e  stood  it   as  long  ae  we   could  Tidout 
sayin'   anythin' .knowin'    it  was  little  usei   but  wan  day  they  opened  a  box  av 
sea-biscuit  that   stunk  to  hiven  and  was   crawlin'   wid  worms, and  we  tuk  it  aft 
to  protist. 'IPwhat s  this  -  mutiny?'    saye  the  mate  and  pulls  a  big  revolver 
out  av  iiis  pocket. 'Divil  a  bit  av  mutiny1, says  I, 'end  plaze  don't  be  pointin' 
that   pisthol  at  me  for  it  might  go   off. We  want  to  protist  against    this   swill 
we're  supposed  to   eat. We  work  harrd  and  we'd  like   somethin1    daoint  to   put 
strength   in  us. 'The  mate  took  a  long  look  at  me  and  says: 'Those  biscuits  are 
all  right  and  you'll   eat   them, you  dogs, or  go  hungry. 'While  he's   epeakin1    the 
two   pigs  we  have  on  board  as  mascots, and  gettin'    fat   for  the  gaptain's  table 


oome  gruntin1   up  to   see  whativer  the  great  smell  is. "These  biscuits  are  only 
fit   for  swine  and  ye  know  ut '    I   said. and  looked  the  mate  straight   in  the  eye, 
for  I  was  hot  wid  anger  and  forgetful  av  his  $un   ;   and  wid  that  I   tuk  a  fist 
ful  av  the  biscuits  and  threw  thim  to   the  pigs.And.it 's  God's  truth   I'm 
tellin  you, the  pigs  turned  up  their  noses   contimptuous  and  walked  away  wid- 
out  takin1   a  bite. 'Evin  the  pigs  oan't  stomach  thim'I   says  to  the  mate  and 
he  turns  away  widout  a  word." 

Yank  -( smiling) "Did   they  give  yuh   fresh  ones?" 

Drisooll  -"Divil  a  wan. We  had  to  go  hungry  like  the  mate  told  us  to  for 
the  betther  part   GV  a  week." 

Yank  -"Wha'd'yuh  do  then?" 

Drisooll  -"The  rest  av  the  sthory  is  best  not  told  but  I'll  tell  it  to 
you. Wan  dark  rainy  night  off  2io  the  mate  and  the  man  at  the  -Thee!  were  alone 
on  the  poop  -  and  the  mate  slipped  and  fell  over  the  side.He  was  missing  at 
the  end  av  the  watch." 

Yank  -(sarcastically) "Huh, slipped  and  fell  over  the  rail, too, I  suppose? 
The  man  at  the  wheel  oughta  made  up  a  better  lie  than  that. Did  he  say  he 
seen  him  fall  over?" 

Drisooll  -"Ho." 

Yank  -"Or  heard  the  splash?" 

Drisooll  -"He  saw  nothin1    *nd  heard  no thin '; but  the  mate  must  have  slip 
ped  because  he  was  nowhere  to  be  found." 

Yank  -"The  guy  at   the  wheel  had  his  nerve  with  him.Who  was  he?" 

Drisooll  -"I  was;and  if  I've  nivir  told  ye  before  t'was  because  nek  it'i 
past  and  gone   these  fifteen  years, and  best   forgotten." 

Yank  -(after  a  pause) "ue  got  what  was  coming  to  him  -  the  mate, I  mean." 

Driscoll  -"He  was  a  dirty  dog; I  have  no   regrets   for  him. The  captain  wint 

round  Til  a  ^/isthol  strapped  atcnt  hie  waist   in  Dltdn  sight  cfther  that   but 
the  food  was  much  betther. "(The  Captain  and  First  Mate   cf  the  steamer  enter 
tiie   forecastle  Jr.  time  to    catch  his  remark  about  the  food. The  Captain  is  en 
old  man  with  grey  mustache  and  whiskers. The  Mate  is  clean-ilicren  end  mlddle- 
aged.3oth  are   dressed  jr   simple  uniforms.) 

The  Captain  -(pleasantly) "Grumbling  about  the  food  again, Driscoll?" 

Driscoll  -(starting  to  his   feet  -   oon  "used) "Eo ,eorr;t 'was  a  different 
ship   entire:-  I  -*as   speakin'    av." 

The  Captain  -(taking  out  hj s  wetoh.^oes  to  Yank  and  feels  his  pulse; 
"And  aow  IE   the  sick  man?" 

Yank  -f feebly) "All  right, sir." 

The  Captain  -"Ana   the  pain  in  the   cliest?" 


n 


Yank  -nlt  etill  hurts, sir, worse  than  ever." 

The  Captain  -(taking  a  thermometer  from  hia  pocket  and  putting  it  in 
Yank1 B  mouth) "Be  sure  and  keep  tnis  in  under  your  tonguw.not  over  it»" 

The  Mate  -(after  a  panee) "Isn't  this  your  watch  on  deck.Driscoll?" 
Drieooll  -"Yes.sorr ,but  Tank  raa  fearin'  to  "be  alone  and  -" 
The  Captain  -"That's  all  right, Driscoll" 
Driscoll  -"Thank  ye.sorr." 

The  Captain  -(Stares  at  his  watch  for  a  moment  or  BO;  then  takes  the 
thermometer  from  Yank's  mouth  and  goes  near  the  lamp  to  read  it .Hie  expression 
grows  very  grave. lie  beckons  the  mate  ard  Driecoll  to  the  corner  near  the  door 
way.  Yank  watches  them  furtively* The  Captain  specks  in  a  low  voice  to  theiSate) 
"7?ay  up.both  of  them,  "(to  Driscoll) "Has  he  been  spitting  blood  egain?" 

Drieooll  -"Hot  for  the  hoar  just  pant ,sorr,but  before  that  --" 

The  Captain  -"A  great  deal?" 

Driaooll  -"Yes.sorr." 

The  Captain  -"He  hasn't  eaten  anything?" 

Driacoll  -"Eo.sorr." 

The  Captain  -"Did  he   drink  tnat  medecine   I   sent  him?" 

Driscoll  -"Yes.sorr, but   it    didn't   stay  down." 

The  Captain  -(shaking  nis  head) "I'm  afrnifl     -  ne'&   very  weak. I   can't   do 
anything  elae   for  him. It's  too  serious  for  me. If  tale  had  only  happened  e 
week  later  we'd  be  in  Cardiff  in  time  to  ~" 

Drisooll  -"Plaza  help  him  scrreway.sorrJ" 

Tuc   Captain  -(impatientlyV'But  ,my  good  nian,!1^  not  a  doctor,  "(more  kindly 
ue  he  seee  Driscoll '3  depression) "You  anfl  he  have  been  shipmates  a  long  time?" 

Driscoll  -"Five  years  and  mcre.sorr." 

The  Captain  -"I   see. Wall , flon't   let  him  move. Keep  him  quiet   and  -  we'll 
hope  for  the  best.  I '11  read  tae  scatter  up  and  send  him  some  medecine  .something 
to   quiet   the  pain,  anyway.  "( to  Yank)  "Keep  up  your  course  I  You '11  be  better  to 
morrow,  "(^.e  breaks   down  lately  before  Yank1 s   steady  gait) "We '11  pull  you 
through  all  right  and  -  hm  -  Coming  Rob3cn?   -Dammit I "(He  goes   out   followed 
by  the  First  I.late) 

Driecoll  -(trying  to   conceal  his  anxiety)  "..asn't   T  tellin1    you  you  wasn't 
half  as   aiok  as  you  taou>h.t  you  was. The  Captain '11  have  you   on  your   feet  ex 
oursin'    and  Bwearii.1    like  a  trooper  before  the  week  is   out." 


Yank  -"Don't   lie.Drisci    I  heard  what  he  said;    and  if  I  didn't   I   c'd  tell 
by  the  way  I   feel.  There1  3  t.  big  wheel  buzzin'    in  my  head  and  a  bonfire  in  my 
iiiBides  and   a  knife  bein1    atuck  in  my  ribs.  I  know  whet's  goin'    to  happen.  I'm 
£0in'    to  ~"(3e  hesitates  -  then  resolutely)  "I'm  goin1    to    die.thats  what,  and 
the   sooner  the  better." 

Driscoll  -Cwildly)  "Uo,and  be  danmed   to  you,  you're  not.  I  '11  not  let  you." 

Yank  -"It  ain't  no  use,Dri8C|I  ain't  got  a  chance;  out   I  ain't   scared. 
Gimme  a  drirk  of  water,  ™,ill  yuh.Driso?   I£y  throats  burnin  '   up.  "f  Driscoll  brings 
the  dipper  full   of  water  and   supports  his  ne*d  while  he   drinks   in  great  gulpe) 

Drieooll  -(after  a  long  silence  -   seeking  vainly  for  some  wrrd  of  nomfort 
"Are  ye  feelin1   more  aisy  like  now*?" 

Yank  -TfYee   -  now  -  when  I  know,  "(a  pause)  "You  mustn't  take   it   so  hard, 
Drinc.    I  was   Just   thinkin1    it  ain't   so  bad  as  people  thick  -   dyin'.    I  ain't 
ever  taken  much  stock  in  what  those  sky-pilots  preaoh.I  ain't   ever  had   re- 
ligioni   but  I  know  whatever  it   is  what  conies  after  it  oan't  be  no   worse  than 
this.  I   don't  like  to   leave  you.Briso.bnt  -  that's   all.  "(Driscoll  groans  and 
recks   froc2  side  to   side  en  the  tenchr'This  sailor  life  ain't  rruch   tc   cry 
about  leevin*    -    just  one  ship  after  another  .hard  work,  small   pay,  and   bun  grub; 
and  when  we  git   into  port.juet   a  drynk  endin'    up  in  a   fight  and  all  yonr 
money  gone,  and  then  ship  away  again»Hever  meetin'    no   nice  people;never  gittin' 
outa  sailor  town,  hardly,  in  any  port;    travellin1    all  over  the  worlt.   and  never 
beeir  '    any  of  it;   without  anyone  to   care  where   yuh  are  or  whether   vuh're 
alive  or  dead.  "(with  a  bitter  smile)  "There  ain't  much,  in  ell  that  that'd 
make  yuh  soriy  to   lose  it.Driec." 

Drisooll  -(gloomily)  "It's  tiie  hell  av  a  life,  the  sea.  " 

Yank  -(musingly)  "It  must   be  greet  to   stay  on  dry  land  all   your  life  and 
have  a  farm  with  a  nouse  of  yonr  own  witu  cowe  and  pigs   and  chickens,  way  in 
middle   of  the  land  where  ynh'd  never  smell  the  aea  or  see  a  ship.  It  must  be 
great  to  have  a  wife,  and  kids  to  pls.y  with  at  nightfafter  supper,  when  your 

was  all  done.  It  must  be  ^reat  to  have  a  home  of  your  own,.Driso." 


-(with  e  great   sigh)  "It  must  .surely;   bnt  p-tfiats   the  use  £V 
thinkin'   av  ut?   SucL  things  are  not   for  the  like  av  us." 

Yank  -  "Sea-  far  in1    is  all  right  when  yr>h're  young  and  don't   oare;   but  we 
ain't   chickens  no   raore.an'd  somehow,!   dunno.this   last  year  or  no   it's  all  seem 
ed   rotten,  and  I've  'iad  a  hunch  I'd  quit  -  with  ^ou.of  course  -and  we'd  save 
out  coin  and  go   to   Canada  or  Argentine  or  jomeplace  nnd  git  a  farm,  jrat   a 
small  one.^ust    enoujh  to  live  on.  I  never  told  yuh  this  cause   I   thought  yuh'd 
laugh  at  me." 


Drieooll  -(  enthusiastically)  "Laufeh  at  you,  is  ut?When  I'm  havin'    the  same 
thoughts  aye  elf  .time  and  again.  It's  a  grrand  idea  and  we'll  be  doin'    it   pure 
if  you'll  stop  your  crazy  notions  about  -  about  -   about  bein1    so   eick." 

Yank  -(  se.dly)  "Too  late;we  shouldn't  'a  made   this  *np  and   tnen  -OoohJ"(A 
spasa.  of  pain  contracts  his  pale  <xn  features.  rie  presses  his  hand  to  nia 
left   Bide  and  rrithee  on  the  thin  mattress  of  his  bM^k.The  perepiration  stards 
cut    ir  be?as  on  his   forehead) 


T-9T 


Drieooll  -( terrified^  "Yank, Yank, pwhat  is  ut?Tf(  jumping  tc  hie  feet)  "I '11 
ran  for  the  Captain. "(He  starts  for  the  doorway) 

Yank  -(sitting  up  in  his  bunk, frantic  vrith   fear) "Don't   leave  m*.,Dri8o, 
for  Get's   sake   don't  leave  me  alone J ( Dri BOO 11  turns  K±Z  back  to  himJHe  leans 
over  the  side  of  the  bunk  and   spite) "Blood, ugh! " 

Driscoll  -"Blood  again!    I'd  beet  be  gettin'the  Captain." 

Yank  -"Ko.no, don't  leave  me. If  yuh  do   I'll  git  up  and  follow  yufc.I  ain't 
no   coward  but   I'm  afraid  to  stay  here  alone  with  all   of  them  asleep  and  snorin 
(Drlsooll  ,.*."'    ?-rowir.g  ^rhet   to   do, aits   do-v-.  teside  him. He  STOWS   calmer  and 
sinks  baok  on  the  mattress. )  "The  Cap  can't   do  ire  no   good,yuh  Imow  it  your- 
self.What'a  the  use  of  botiierin'   him9 The  pain  ain't   so  bad  row, but   I  thought 
I  TAB  goin'    then. It  was  like  a.  buzs-saw  cuttin'    into  ne.The  nert   tire  it 
cofl:es  it's*  all  over  but  the  sacutin." 

Driscoll  -(fiercely)    "C-cd  blarst  ut .' " 

York  -(vaguely^ "How1 d  all   ti:e  fog   jit   in  here?" 

Driscrll  -"?og?" 

Yc*nk  -"Everything  looks  iristy;   nniat  be  my  eyes  gittin'    weak, I  c^esS' 
.Vhat  was  v;«  talkin'    of  a  minute  ego?    Oh,  yes, a  farm  -  it's   too  late,  "(his 
mind  wandering  a  bit^  "Argentine, di 3   I   say?   D'yuii   remember   the   tin.ee  we've 
Lad  in  Buencs   Aires?  The  moving  pictures   in  Perracas?   3om*»  olass   to  theru.d'yun 
rPicecberV   And    tLe  time  we  was   ta',re6or   tLebeuch'    and  iiud  to   go   f.c    Torijiiy  Koore' 
boarding-house  to  git   a^ipped9  And  ae   .^cld  us  rotten  oilskiiio  tt^^  sea-toots 
full  of  .:?"j.,and  shipped  us  on  a  skysail-yarder  round  the  Horn.and  took  a 
rronthe  pay  for  it? And  the   days  we  used  to   spend  on  the  ^°r>  "benches   along 
the  Paseo  C*olon  Tith  the  vigilantes  lookin'  herd  at  us?   And  the  drinks   at 
the  Sailor's  Opera  where  the  guy  played  Anericar  r?.g-time*?D'yuh  remember  him?" 

Drisooll  -"Could  I  forget  him?Didn't  he  nearly  kill  me  Then  I  poured  a 
pint  of  beer  into  the  piany,-vhich  sounded  iry?" 

Yank  -"And  La  Plata  -_phew,that  atink  of  hides J    I  always  liked  Argentine 
-  all   except  that  bcoze.cana.   rfow  clrunk  vre  used  to  get   on  that  .remember?" 

Driaooll  -"I  do.tliet.' 

Yank  -"Remember  the  night  I  went  crazy  *ith  the  heat  in  Singapore?  And 
the  time  you  was  pinched  by  the  cops  in  Port  Said?  And  the  time  re  rvae  both 
locked  up  in  Sydney  for  fightin1?" 

brisooll  -"I  do." 

Yank  -".Ve've  had  some  great  old  times  together, me  and  you." 

!>ri300ll  -"Liivil  a  lie.rre  have." 

Yank  -"And  if  we've  had  fallina-out  -" 

Driscoll  -(interrupting  him  hurriedly) "T1 was  only  Then  we'd  too  much 
drink  taken." 


Yank  -(in  a  choking  voice) "It's  hard  -  to  ship  on  this   voyage  T'm 
on-alone. "(Drisooll  reaches  out  and  grasDB  his  hand. There  is   a  pause  during 
which  "both  fight  to  control  themselves) 

Yank  -"That   fight  on  the   dock  at  Cap*  Town?-" (His  voice  betrays  great 
inward  perturbation) 

Drieooll  -"Don't  be  thinkin'   av  that, now. T'os  past  and  gone." 
Yank  -"D'yuh  suppose  He'll  hold  it  up  against  me?" 
Drisooll  -(mystified) "Who '3  that?" 

Yank  -"God.  They  say  he  sees  everything. He  must  know  it  was  done  in  fair 
fight, in  self-defense. don't  yuh  think?" 

Driscoll  -"Av  course.  Ye  stabbed  him, and  be  damned  to  him.    fotx  the  skulk 
in'    swine  he  was. after  him  tryin1   to  stick  you  in  the  back  and  you  not   sus- 
peotin'.Let  your  conscience  be  aisy.I  wieiit  I  had  nothin1   blacker  than  that 
on  my  sowl;    I'd  not  be  afraid  av  the  angel  Gabriel  himself." 

Yank  -"I   o'd  see  him  a  minute  ago  with  the  blood  spurt in1   out  from  his 
neck. "(with  a  shudder) "Ugh I" 

Drisooll  -"The  fever, ut  is, that  makes  you  see  such  things. Give  no  heed 
to  it." 

(uncertainly) 
Yank  -"Yuh     don't  think  He'll  hold  it  up  against  me?Ood,I  mean." 

Drisooll  -"If  there's   Justice  in  feftfcm  Hiven.no.  "(Yank  seems  comforted 
by  this  assurance) 

Yank  -(after  a  pause)"We  won't  reach  Cardiff  for  a  week  at   least. I'll 
be  buried  at  sea. " 

Driscoll  -(putting  iiis  hands   over  his   ears) "Seshh;    I  won't  lieten  to  you" 

Yank  -(as  if  he  had  not  heard  him) "It's  as  good  a  place  as  any  other.only 
t  I  always  wanted  to  be  buried  on  dry  land;   but  what '11   I  care  -   then?"(fret- 
fully)"Why  should   it  be  a  rotten  night  like  tnis  with  that   damned  -sfaistle 
blowin'    and  people  snorin'    all  round. I  wisht  the  stare  was  out  and  the  moon, 
too.    I  o'd  lie  out  on  deck  and  look  at    them, and  it'u<3   make   it  easier  to  go  - 
somehow." 

Drisooll  -"For  the  love  av  the  saints, don't  be  talkin'   like  that!" 

Yank  -"Whatever  pay's  coming  to  me  yuh  o'n  diwy  up  with  the  rest  of  thfc 
boys;  anfl  you  take  ray  watch  to  remember  me  by. It  ain't  worth  nothin'  much  but 
it's  all  I  got." 

Drisooll  -"But  have  ye  no  relations  at  all  to   call  your  own?" 

Yank  -"The  old  lady  died  when  I  was  a  kid, and  the  eld  man  croaked  when 
I  was  fourteen;   the  old  booze  got  him. I've  got  two  brothers  but  to  hell  with 
thecJThey're  too  respectable  to  want  news  of  me  dead   or  alive." 

Drisooll  -"Mo  aunts  or  uncles   or  cousins  or  anythin1   the  like  m±  that?" 


Yank  -"Ho, not  as  I  know  of. One  thing  I  forgot;  You  know  Fanny  the  barmaid 
at  the  Red  Stork  in  Cardiff?" 

Driscoll  -"Who  doesn' t?8he's  common  property  av  the  whole  British  merchan 
marine." 

Yank  -"I   don't   oare;    she's  "been  good  to  me. She   tried  to   loan  me   a  crown 
when  I   was   broke  there   last   trip. Buy  her  the   biggest  box  of  candy  yuh   c'n 
find  in  Cardiff  before  yuh   divvy  up  my  pay. If  she   don't  like  candy  -" 

Drisooll  -"A  gallon  of  gin, I'm  thinkin'.wud  be  rrore  welcome." 

Yank  -"A  gallon  of  gin,thenJ'.Vhat 's   the  difference  as  lon^  as   it's   some 
thing  she  likes    ;   and  tell  her  it's  with  my  regards." 

Driscoll  -"I'll  do  it  the   first   thing  I'm  ashore  -  provided  you're   too 
sick  torn  come  ashore  yourself." 

Yank  -fWith  a  calm  smile) "It's  no  use.Drisc, yuh  can't  kid  me  along. I  c'n 
feel  it   creepin'    over  me  now.Ky  throats  like  a   furnace. "(ae  gaeps    for  air) 
"Bring  a  drink, will  yuh,Driso?"(Dri8coll  gets  him  a  dipper  of  water)  "I  vrish 
this  was  a  pint  of  beer  -   OOoohi"(He  chokes, his   face  ix  contorted  with  agony, 
his  hands  tearing  at  his  shirt   front. The   dipper  falls   from  his  nerveless 
fingers) 

Drisooll   -"Glory  be  to  God, pwhat   is  ut.Yank?" 

Yank  -(speaking  with  tremendous   difficulty) "S 'long.DrieoJ "f staring  in 
front   of  him  with   eyes  starting  from  their  socket?) "Who 's   that?" 

Dr is oc 11  -"Who?Pffcat?" 

Yank  -(faintly) "A  pretty  lady  dressed  in  black. "(His  face  twitches  and 
nis  body  -writhes  in  a  final  spasm, then  straightens  out  rigidly. His  eyee  glaze 
and  a  thin  crimson  stream  trickles  doT-n  his  cheek  from  the  corner  of  his 
mouth. ) 

Drisooll  -(pale  with  horror) "Yank. Yank  pwhat  is  ut?  Say  a  word  to  me 
for  the  love  av  hivini  He's  bleedin1 I "( putea  trembling  hand  on  Yank's  chect) 
"r£is  heerts  rot  beatin1 .  "(bends  down  closely  over  the  body)  "He's  not  breathin1 
(straightens  up  slowly  and  stares  straight  before  him) ''He's  dead, dead: " 
(hoarsely) "If  I  could  only  rAmAmber  a  bit  av  a  prayer  to  say  for  the  rest  av 
his  sowl,  a  bit  av  a  prayer, God  help  aei "(kneels  down  beside  the  bunk  his 
head  in  hie  nands)"Pur  Father  Who  arrt  in  fcivin,  -Pwhat 'e  the  rest*  -  I  can't 
think  -" 

Cooky's  voioc  sounds  from  the  alleyway  -"Oh. Driscoll :  The  bosun  says  to 
corr.e  aft  and  give  me  H  'and  for  a  minute,  "'is  he  is  speaking  he  appears  in 
the  doorway, nis  sou'wester  ar^  oilskins  glistening  with  drops  of  water. te 
sees  Drisooll  and  stands  staring  at  him  with  open  mouth.) 

Drisooll  -"Our  Father  Wio  arrt  in  Hivin  "(There  is  a  moment  of  dead 

silence  broken  only  by  the  heavy  breathing  of  the'sleeplng  seamen.) 

Cocky  -(in  blank  amazement)  "Prayin1  i  ^awd  blisayJ "fie  slorlv  taVep  n+r 
Us  dripping  ecu -wester  and  stands  scratching  Wa  head  rerp!e««y  le 

"TZc  dv/GU.  /•*£&,. 


PAMPHLET  BINDER 

•—< 

Manufactured  by 

(iAYLORD  tRO*.  Inc. 

SyrocuM.  N.Y. 

Stockton.  Calif. 


U.C  BERKELEY  LIBRARIES 


14  DAY  USE 

RETURN  TO  DESK  FROM  WHICH  BORROWED 

LOAN  DEPT. 

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>!EGO 
.OAN 

JUN  141976 
JAN  1 7  1980 

ES.CtS.JMH 

u  //  /* 


JUL281966  76 


LD  21A-60m-3,'65 
(F2336slO)476B 


General  Library 

University  of  California 

Berkeley 


